Course Introduction

Reading:

From Origins and Development of the English Language by John Algeo

Here is the ppt used in class.

Topics for today:

So many anomalies in English!
Course Introduction
What is Language?
What's important about the English language?

Links:

Look How Strange English Is!

English is a strange language

Poems showing the absurdities of English spelling.

English is a weird language

Facts About the English Language from the Oxford Corpus

All right:

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/12996/is-it-alright-or-allright
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/all-right-or-alright
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/alright

Seeing Colors:

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-blue-and-how-do-we-see-color-2015-2

Apes using language:

Washoe in Spanish: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x74q9r_washoe-lenguaje-y-emociones-en-chim_school

Kanzi:
Lexagrams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRM7vTrIIis&feature=related
Understanding spoken language: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxmbjLoUnhk
Novel Sentences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dhc2zePJFE&feature=channel

Kanzi in the Kitchen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxmvRpnVXJQ&feature=related
Kanzi, the Bonobo talks to reporters

Ape self-awareness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-pc_M2qI74&NR=1 (mirror mark test)